Elon Musk’s influence may be on the wane as we approach the end of President Donald Trump’s second term, but the journey of his brainchild, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), continues to generate headlines and intrigue. Many are left with a pressing question: **How much money has DOGE truly saved American taxpayers?**
Understanding the Impact of DOGE
Established through an executive order just after Trump’s return to the White House in January, DOGE was founded with an ambitious mission: to streamline government spending and enhance efficiency. Prior to officially taking office, Musk had already laid the groundwork for this agency. He prioritized it after Trump’s election win, sacrificing resources from his other ventures, including Tesla and SpaceX.
Setting the Stage for Significant Savings
Back in October, before Trump’s election victory, Musk boldly predicted that he could cut as much as **$2 trillion** from the federal budget—around a third of its total. “We’ll try for $2 trillion. I think that’s like the best-case outcome,” he declared, emphasizing Americans’ need for significant reform. He later remarked that even achieving over **$1 trillion** in savings would be an “epic outcome,” calling the government a “target-rich environment for saving money.” Source
Tracking DOGE’s Achievements
Shortly after taking office, DOGE launched an innovative savings tracker. This tool not only displays the agency’s ongoing spending cuts but also ranks agencies based on their efficiency. As of May, DOGE reported savings of **$170 billion**—an impressive amount but merely **17%** of its **$1 trillion goal** or **8.5%** of Musk’s original forecast.
The Largest Cuts—Where’s the Money Going?
The most substantial cut reported by DOGE was a cancellation of a **$3.3 billion** program by the Department of the Interior, initially planned to fund a facility for the Office of Refugee Resettlement Influx Care. The second largest cut, exceeding **$3 billion**, was made by the Department of Homeland Security, aimed at facilities in Texas and California. Beyond these significant cuts, most savings detailed by DOGE didn’t exceed **$1 billion**.
However, DOGE has faced criticism for its transparency. Critics assert that the site lists savings from contracts that had already been canceled before DOGE’s establishment, leading to questions about the accuracy of reported figures. Notably, an error turned an **$8 million** saving into an **$8 billion** miscalculation. Source
In addition to spending cuts, DOGE has deactivated **half a million federal credit cards**, which government staff use for agency purchases. This audit effectively eliminated **10%** of all government-issued cards, with the potential for more cuts ahead.
Voices from the Ground
Musk asserted, “We’re talking about almost **$200 billion** and rising fast,” when discussing DOGE’s projected total savings through 2025. He also hinted at scaling back his political donations in the near future, stating, “I’m going to do a lot less in the future. I think I’ve done enough.” However, Musk remains open to political spending if a compelling reason arises.
What Lies Ahead for DOGE and Musk?
Musk has indicated that he has “done enough” within his role and is stepping back from being the public face of DOGE, appearing less frequently alongside Trump. During recent discussions with Tesla investors, he expressed a desire to focus more on his pivotal electric car company rather than his political endeavors.
As we look to the future, it remains to be seen how much more DOGE can achieve and what lasting legacy Musk’s brief government reign will leave on the American taxpayer.
